Description
Savory Italian stuffed cabbage rolls bring European comfort to your dinner table, blending tender cabbage leaves with rich meat and herbs. Hearty flavors and classic ingredients invite you to savor a traditional Mediterranean culinary experience with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- ½ lb (225g) ground beef
- ½ lb (225g) ground Italian sausage
Filling and Cheese:
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 large green cabbage
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil.
- Carefully remove the dense central stem from the cabbage head, then submerge the entire cabbage into the bubbling water.
- Allow the cabbage to cook for approximately 5 minutes, gently separating and extracting individual leaves as they become pliable and translucent.
- Carefully transfer the softened cabbage leaves to a colander, enabling them to cool and drain excess moisture.
- Spread the delicate leaves on a clean kitchen towel, patting them dry and ensuring they are ready for the upcoming filling process.
- Trim the thick central rib of each leaf to create a smooth, flexible surface that will easily fold around the savory filling.
- Arrange the prepared cabbage leaves with the inside facing upward, creating a perfect canvas for the upcoming stuffing technique.
Notes
- Gently separate cabbage leaves to prevent tearing, using tongs for careful handling during the blanching process.
- Choose large, flexible cabbage leaves for easier rolling and a more visually appealing presentation.
- Pat leaves completely dry after cooling to ensure better filling adhesion and prevent excess moisture in the final dish.
- Trim the thick stem portion of each leaf to create a more uniform surface for rolling, making the stuffing process smoother and more consistent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg